REMATCH OF “2009 FIGHT OF THE YEAR”
New York, NY– Fists will fly and drama is sure to be high when two of boxing’s least shy warriors step up to the plate and swing for the fences to unify the titles at lightweight (135) in a rematch of last years fight of the year. WBA strap carrier Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs) takes on WBO belt holder Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on HBO PPV, this Saturday at 9 PM ET.
FIRST FIGHT WAS HELL TO PAY FOR BOTH
Juan Diaz started the fight at a frantic pace, throwing volleys of punches that scored against a very slow starting Marquez. As rounds went on, Diaz seemingly began to tire and Marquez appeared to become stronger. Marquez started to land his classic combinations and began employing successful bodywork to his attack. Diaz was dropped in round eight, and was finished in round nine by one of the nastiest upper cuts I’d ever seen anyone have to deal with.
DESPITE RECENT SETBACK, MARQUEZ STILL AMONG BEST
Prior to his failing bid at pound for pound supremacy against the mighty Floyd Mayweather Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez fought two epic wars with (the other) pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. During that display of violent pugilistic brilliance, Marquez survived a total of four knockdowns, three of which happened in the very first round of their first encounter, amazingly Marquez fought back, and managed to earn a draw. Knockdown number four came in the second bout, which ultimately led to Juan losing by just a point. Over 24 hellacious rounds over two fights with Pacquiao , Marquez became the closet boxer to dethrone the living legend in five years. Juan Marquez is a vastly experienced craftsman who holds a multitude of emphatic wins over Marco Antonio Barrera (W UD 12) Joel Casamayor (W TKO 11), Rocky Juarez (W UD 12) and the aforementioned Juan Diaz (W KO 9).
ONCE PROMISING “BABY BULL” LACKING HORNS OF LATE
In a break out performance three years ago, once promising rising star Juan Diaz got on the map by handling Acelino Frietas in a shoot out (W KO 8). Since that (thus far) defining moment, Juan has had a bumpy road. Diaz is 2-5 in his last 3 fights. However, to his credit, Diaz is coming off a couple of impressive outings against former champ Paulie Malignaggi. Before those scraps against Paulie, Juan suffered a devastating knockout loss against Juan Manuel Marquez. Going into this bout, the question still looms as to how much that beating took out of him. Marquez, the best person to ask that question, will be the man standing in front of him to get the answer.
GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS STACKED UNDER CARD
Light’s out power puncher Daniel Jacobs (20-0. 17 KOs) squares off against dismantling banger Dmitry Pirog (16-0, 13 KOs) in a test of power boxing for the vacant WBO middleweight (160) strap.
Reality series “Contender” season three winner Sakio Bika (28-3-2, 19 KOs) throws hands with undefeated Jean Paul Mandy (28-0-1, 16 KOs) over 12 rounds at super middleweight (168).
Former champs collide in a proposed war when Joel Casamayor (37-4-1, 22 KOs) dances with Robert Guerrero (26-1-1, 18 KOs) over 10 rounds at lightweight.
Veteran Rocky Juarez (28-6-1, 20 KOs) moves with former belt holder Jorge Linares (28-1, 18 KOs) in 10 round open in the lightweight (135) division.
ESPN HOOKS IT UP FOR FRIDAY
ESPN Friday Night Fight’s has without a doubt been Boxing’s heartbeat in 2010. Each installment of the popular series offers news, analysis on upcoming bouts, interviews, competitive scraps, and in studio celebrity guests offering insight into the world of boxing. This week features a showdown between fan favorite Delvin Rodriquez (25-4-2, 14 KOs) against rugged journeyman Ashley Theopane (26-4-1, 7 KOs) in a 10 round tilt at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, Friday on ESPN 2 at 9 PM ET.
John Signorella